The History of North and South America: From Its Discovery to the Death of General Washington, Volumes 1-2

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Page 8 His proposals to them were, however, fruitless ; they did not choose to
countenance a scheme which Ferdinand had rejected , even if they had
approved of the enterprize. They were afraid of alarming the jealousy, and
offending the pride of ...

Page 18 Columbus perceived it would be in vain to practice his former arts, or to
endeavour to rekindle any zeal for the enterprize in.men, in whose breasts fear
had extinguished every noble sentiment. It was therefore necessary, to. soothe
passions, ...

Page 70 Though the Spaniards received two considerable reinforcements, the greater part
of those engaged in this unhappy enterprize, perished in less than a year. A few
who survived, settled a feeble colony, at Santa Maria el Antigua, on the gulf of ...

Page 138 The great abilities of Guatimozin, the number of his troops, the peculiar situation
of his capital, so far counterbalanced the superiority of the Spaniards in arms,
and discipline, that they must have relinquished the enterprize if they had trusted
to ...

Page 80 The enterprize was very hazardous, both on account of the strength of the parties,
against whom they were to act, and as the main body of the British forces were
advanced within fifty miles of the place ; besides that a number of armed vessels,
...

Popular passages

Page 154 - The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people is sacredly obligatory upon all.

Page 154 - However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men, will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government destroying, afterwards, the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

Page 163 - Relying on its kindness in this, as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it which is so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations, I anticipate, with pleasing expectation, that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free Government — the ever favorite object of my heart — and the...

Page 152 - Union, affecting all parts of our country, while experience shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust the. patriotism of those, who, in any quarter, may endeavour to weaken its bands.

Page 157 - Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.

Page 154 - Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts.

Page 149 - ... strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

Page 163 - I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence ; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

Page 154 - They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force, to put in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small, but artful and enterprising minority of the community...